Strip-tensioning apparatus for sheet metal slitters

ABSTRACT

Strip-tensioning apparatus for use between a sheet metal slitter, such as slitters for slitting strips of sheet metals, such as steel, and the like, and recoiling or rewinding apparatus for the slitted sheet metal material. Means are provided for insuring that the slitted strips will be subjected to a constant and uniform tension at all times as the strips pass through the tensioning apparatus on their way from the slitting apparatus to the recoiling or rewinding apparatus and are wound in roll form on the recoiling or rewinding apparatus. Means are also provided for adjusting the tensioning apparatus for use with slitted strips of varying thicknesses so as to provide the proper pressure or bite on the slitted strips as they pass through the tensioning apparatus on their way to the recoiling or rewinding apparatus. The apparatus also includes means for compensating for any sagging of the mid-portion of the lower tensioning roller units in use.

United States Patent [191 Abbey Nov. 13, 1973 STRIP-TENSIONING APPARATUS FOR SHEET METAL SLITTERS Inventor: Edward F. Abbey, Frankfort, Mich.

Assignee: E. F. Abbey & Co., Inc., Frankfort,

Mich.

Filed: Feb. 17, 1972 Appl. No.: 227,186

US. Cl 242/75.2, 226/191, 226/195 Int. Cl B6511 23/14 Field of Search 242/752, 56.2;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1915 Nall 242/752 6/1968 Foul0n.... 242/752 x 8/1972 Gay 242/752 x Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Attorney-Charles B. Cannon [57] ABSTRACT Strip-tensioning apparatus for use between a sheet metal slitter, such as slitters for slitting strips of Sheet metals, such as steel, and the like, and recoiling or rewinding apparatus for the slitted sheet metal material. Means are provided for insuring that the slitted strips will be subjected to a constant and uniform tension at all times as the strips pass through the tensioning apparatus on their way from the slitting apparatus to the recoiling or rewinding apparatus and are wound in roll form on the recoiling or rewinding apparatus. Means are also provided for adjusting the tensioning apparatus for use with slitted strips of varying thicknesses so as to provide the proper pressure or bite on the slitted strips as they pass through the tensioning apparatus on their way to the recoiling or rewinding apparatus. The

apparatus also includes means for compensating for any sagging of the mid-portion of the lower tensioning roller units in use.

15 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDunv 13 ms SHEET 10F 6 PATENTEU NUV 131973 SHEET 2 BF 6 PATENTEDHHV 13 ms SHEET 3 BF 6 PATENTEnuuv 13 new 3771; 738

saw u or s PAIENTEDunv 13 ms BLT/1.738

sum 5 BF 6 STRIP-TENSIONING APPARATUS FOR SHEET METAL SLITTERS OBJECTS An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tensioning apparatus for use between a slitting apparatus for sheet material, such as sheet steel, and recoiling or rewinding apparatus for recoiling or rewinding the slitted strips.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tensioning apparatus for use between the sheet metal slitting apparatus and recoiling or rewinding apparatus for the slitteds'trips which embodies means for insuring that the strips will be subjected to uniform tension at all times as they pass from the slitting apparatus to the recoiling or rewinding apparatus and as the diameter of the roll of slitted material on the recoiling or rewinding ap'paratusincreases.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tensioning apparatus for use between a sheet metal slitter and recoiling or rewinding apparatus for the slitted strips which embodies means for adjusting the slitting apparatus to assure that the overall tensioning apparatus will provide the proper tension or bite on the slitted strips as they pass through the tensioning apparatus on the way to the recoiling or rewinding apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide in the new tensioning apparatus novel means for overcoming any tendency on the part of the lower tensioning roller unit to sag in the longitudinal mid-portion thereof in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved slitter strip tensioningapparatus which (a) eliminates back tension on the slit strands and provides tights, evenly wound coils; (b) eliminates the use of cardboard fillers; (c) requires no operator; and (d) requires no air, hydraulic, electric or other form of power for its operation.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical and preferred embodiment of the new tensioning apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the new tensioning apparatus, as shown in FlGhl; v

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the new tensioningapparatus; I

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view on line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the area encircled in FIG. 2, partly in section and partly inelevation, showing part of the means for overcomingany sagging of the mid-portion of the lower tensioning roller unit in use;

FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 6-6 in FIG. 3 showing part of the means for raising the longitudinal center or mid-portion area of the lower tensioning roller unit to compensate for any sagging thereof in use;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, on line 7--7 in FIG. 3, illustrating another part .of the means for raising the longitudinal central or mid-portion area of the lower tensioning roller unit to compensate 'for any sagging thereof in use;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view on line 8-8 in FIG. 1 of one of the supporting standard or supporting units for the roller units and certain of the parts associated therewith;

' x to assure that the tensionlon the recoiled or rewound, .roll of stripmaterial 17 will remain constant at all times FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the supporting standard or supporting unit and associated parts shown in FIG. 8 as seen from the side opposite that shown in FIG. 8; I

FIG. 10 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view on line 10-10 in FIG. 2 illustrating the construction of the supporting standard or supporting unit shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the gear means associated therewith for adjusting the spacing of the upper tensioning roller unit relative to the lower tensioning roller unit;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the parts shown in the area encircled as FIG; 11 in FIG. 4 and illustrating the construction of one of the manually operable pressure-adjusting means for the tensioning rollers in the upper tensioning roller unit;

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view illustrating the arrangement of the new strip tensioning apparatus in relation to a sheet metal strip slitter apparatusand in relation to a recoiling or rewinding apparatus for the metal strips or slit; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the parts encircled as FIG.'13 in FIG. 4.

CONSTRUCTION AND TENSIONING ROLLER UNITS AND TENSION ADJUSTING MEANS THEREFOR A typical and preferred embodiment of the new striptensioning apparatus is illustrated in the; drawings wherein it is generally indicated at 15, and is shown schematically in FIG. 12 as positioned between a metal slitter apparatus, generally indicated at 16, for slitting sheet steel, or like sheet metal, into strips 17 which are fed through the new strip tensioning apparatus 15 and are rewound on a rewinding or recoiling apparatus 18.

It has been found in the use of prior slitter apparatus and prior recoiling or rewinding apparatus that there is a tendency for the roll of strip or sheet material on the recoiling or rewinding apparatus 18 to vary in tension or tautness as the diameterof the recoiled or rewound strip increases as it is wound on the rewinding or recoiling apparatus, and the new strip tensioning apparatus 15 is designed, in part, to overcome this difficulty and as it is wound on the recoiling or rewinding apparatus 18. l

The new tensioning apparatus 15 comprises a supporting base 19 having a horizontal upper or top surface 20 on which vertically extending upright supporting standards or supporting units 21 and 22 are mounted in horizontally spaced relationship, as best .shown in FIG. 1.

will be described in detail hereinafter (FIGS. 8,9, and

10). Thus, it will be noted, by referenceto FIGS. 1, 8

- and 10 of the drawings, that the supporting standard 21 includes an upright body 25 in which a vertically extending guideway 26 is provided and the supporting standard 21 includes a base 27 which is attached to the top wall 20 of the supporting structure 19. The supporting standard or unit 21 also includes a housing 28 which is mounted on the top of the upright body 25, and a similar housing 29- is mounted on the upper end or top of the supporting standard or supporting unit 22. The upright supporting standard or supporting unit 22 includes an upright body 30 having a vertically extending guideway 31 therein, similar to the upright body 25 and the vertically extending guideway 26 in the supporting standard or supporting unit 21, and a base 32 which is mounted on and is attached to the top wall 20 of the supporting base 19.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the upper tensioning roller unit 23 includes a horizontally extending tubular supporting member or shaft 33 which extends between the upright supporting standards or supporting units 21 and 22. One end portion 34 of the tubular supporting member or shaft 33 is mounted in a slide block member 35 which is slidably mounted in the vertically extending guideway 26 in the upright supporting standard 21 and the other end portion 36 of the tubular supporting member or shaft 33 is attached to a slide block member 37 which is slidably mounted in the vertically extending guideway 31 in the upright supporting standard 22 (FIGS. 1,2 and 4).

The lower tensioning roller unit 24 includes a horizontally extending tubular supporting member or shaft 38 which has one end portion 39 which is mounted in a supporting block member 40 which is stationarily mounted in the lower end portion of the vertically extending guideway 26 in the upright supporting standard 21, and the other end portion 41 of the horizontally extending tubular supporting member or shaft 38 is at- I tached to a supporting block member 42 which is stationarily mounted in the lower end portion of the vertically extending guideway 31 in the upright supporting (FIG. A similar worm screw 47 is mounted partly in the upright supporting standard 22 and partly inthe housing 29 (FIG. 1). Power-transmitting means in the form of a horizontally extending manually operable power-transmitting shaft 48 extends between the housings 28 and 29 and has one end portion 49 which proj ects exteriorly of the housing 28 and has a handle in the form of a hand wheel 50 mounted thereon. The shaft 48 has a bevel gear 51 mounted thereon within the housing 28 and this bevel 51 meshes with a bevel gear 52 on the worm screw 43 (FIG. 10). the other end portion of the power-transmitting shaft 48 projects into the housing 29 and has a bevel gear (not shown) mounted thereon which meshes with a bevel gear (not shown) on the vertically extending worm screw 47, the two bevel gears in the housing 29 being identical to the bevel gears 51 and 52, respectively, (FIG. 10).

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11, the upper and adjustable tensioning roller unit 23 includes a plurality I preferably made of suitable steel or other metal, and which are mounted on the tubular supporting member or shaft 33 and bearagainst the lateral or side surface of the strip-tensioning rollers 53. The annular metal spacing member or braking rings 54 are held and fixed in place on the tubular shaft 33 by manually operable means in the form of set screws 85 which are adjustably mounted in tapped or threaded openings 55 in the annular metal spacing or braking rings 54, the radially inner end portions of the retaining means or set screws 85 bearing against the radially outer surface 86 of the tubular metal supporting member or shaft 33 (FIGS. 4 and 13).

Similarly, the lower and relatively fixed tensioning roller 24 includes a plurality of spaced annular striptensioning rollers 56 which are rotatably mounted or float on the lower tubular supporting member or shaft 38 and are spaced and separated by annular metal spacing and braking members or rings 57 which bear against the lateral or side surfaces of the annular strip tensioning rollers 56. The annular metal spacing and braking members or rings 57 are mounted on the tubular supporting member or shaft 38, and are similar to the metal spacing and braking rings 54 and may be held in adjusted positions on the tubular supporting member or shaft 38 by retaining set screws (not shown) similar to the set screws 85.

This new slit tensioning apparatus includes manually operable pressure-applying means, generally indicated at 58, one of such means 58 being arranges at each end of the upper slit tensioning roller unit 23, for applying pressure laterally to the annular spacing and braking members 57 and to the lateral or side-surfaces of the annular strip-tensioning rollers 53 of the upper and vertically adjustable tensioning roller unit 23. Each of the manually operable pressure-applying means 58 includes an elongated set screw 59 having a handle 60 thereon which projects exteriorly and laterally of the upper tensioning roller unit 23, one of the two manually operable pressure-applying means 58 being shown in detail in FIG.'11. As shown in FIG. 11, the manually operable screw member 59 has an inner end portion 61 which is threadedly engaged in a threaded opening 62 formed in the slide block member 37 and a coil spring 63 is attached to the axially inner end portion 61 of the manually operable screw member 59, and each of the coil springs 63 bears at its axially inner end against the lateral or side surface on one of the metal spacing and braking members or rings 54 (FIG. 11).

While not shown in the drawings, the lower tensioning roller unit 24, may, if desired, be provided with the manually operable pressure-applying devices 58 which are shown in conjunction with the upper tensioning roller unit 23 and, likewise, if desired, the annular spacing or braking members or rings 57 in the lower tensioning roller unit 24 may be provided with tapped openings similar to the tapped openings 55 in the annular spacing and braking members 54 and with the set screws, as 85, for the tapped openings, as in the upper tensioning roller unit 23 (FIGS. 4 and 13).

THE MEANS FOR COMPENSATING FOR SAGGING OF THE LOWER TENSIONING ROLLER UNIT The new strip-tensioning apparatus 15 includes means generally indicated at 64 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

and'7-) for compensating for any tendency of the lower tensioning roller unit 24 to sag in the mid-portion thereof in use. This means 64 comprises a jack screw housing 65 having a base 66 which is attached, as at 67, to the top wall 20 of the supporting base 19 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). The jack screw housing 65 has a central screw-threaded bore 68 therein and a jack screw 69 works in the screw-threaded bore 68 of the jack screw housing 65 (FIG. 6).

The jack screw 69 has an unthreaded upper end portion or head '70 on which a sprocket gear 71 is mounted, the sprocket gear 71 being attached, as at 72, to the upper end portion or head 70 of the jack screw 69. The upper end portion or head 70 of the jack screw 69 has a reduced diameter bearing head 73 on the upper end thereof, nd this bearing head 73 projects into and works in an annular slot or passage 74 which is formed between two of the annular tensioning rollers 56 in the lower tensioning roller unit 24, and the upper end portion of the bearing head 73 bears against the outer peripheral surface of one of the annular metal braking members or rings 57 in the lower tensioning roller unit 24 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6).

A sprocket chain 75 works over the sprocket gear 71 on the jack screw 69-70 and this sprocket chain 75 also works over a sprocket gear 76wh ich is attached, as at 77, to the upper end portion 78 of a vertically extending jack-operating shaft 79 which is rotatably mounted in a housing 80 having a base 81 which is attached, as at 82, to the top wall 20 of the supporting base 19 (FIG. 7). The jack-operating shaft 79 has a squared wrenchreceiving upper end portion or head 83 on which a socket wrench 84 .is removably mounted, and the squared head 83 is attached, as at 87, to the jackoperating shaft (FIG. 7).

OPERATION In the use of the new strip-tensioning apparatus 15, the metal strips 17, after leaving the slitter apparatus 16, are passed between the strip-tensioning rollers 53 of the upper tensioning roller unit 23 and the striptensioning rollers 56 of the lower strip tensioning roller unit 24 (FIG. 4) from which they travel to the strip recoiling or rewinding appartus 18 (FIG. 12). As the metal strips or so-called slit strands 17 thus pass between the strip-tensioning rollers 53-56 the striptensioning rollers 53-56 exert a braking action or socalled back tension thereon and the metal strips'or socalled slit strands 17 are thus maintained in a taut condition under proper tension so that the'metal' strips or slit strands 17 are wound in tight, evenly wound coils on the r'ecoiling or rewinding apparatus 18.

The braking and slit-tensioning action of the upper strip-tensioning rollers 53 maybe adjusted and regulated by loosening the set screws 85 in the tapped openings 55 in the metal spacing and braking members or rings 54 of the upper tensioningroller unit 23 and then manually adjusting the set screws 59-60 and the tension of the coil springs 63 thereon so as to vary the pressure thus applied laterally by the set screws 59-60 and attached coil springs 63 to the lateral surfaces of the metal spacing and braking members or rings 54 and on the lateral surfaces of the tensioning rollers 53 of the upper tensioning roller unit 23, and then readjusting the set screws 85 in the tapped openings 55 in the metal spacing and braking members or rings 54.

The tensioning action of the upper and lower striptensioning rollers 53-56 on the metal strips 57 may be varied by varying or adjusting the space or bite between the upper and lower strip-tensioning roller units 23-24. This is accomplished by manipulating the hand wheel 50 which acts, through the worm screw 43, bevel gears 52-51, and the transverse power-transmitting shaft 48, worm screw 47 and associated gearing to raise or lower the slide block members '35 and 37 in the vertically extending standards 21 and 22, respectively, and thereby raise or lower, as desired, the upper and relatively movable tubular supporting shaft 33 and the upper strip-tensioning roller unit 23 and the striptensioning rollers 53 thereon relative to the relatively fixed lower strip tensioning roller unit 24 and the striptensioning rollers 56 thereon, and thus vary the space or bite between the strip-tensioning rollers 53 and 56 and the resulting bite or tensioning action on the metal strips or slit strands l7.

. During this operation the slide block members 35 and 37 travel in the vertically extending guideways 26 and 31 in the upright supporting standards 21 and 22, respectively.

Any tendency of the lower strip-tensioning roller unit 24 to sag in its mid-portion in use may be compensated for by manipulation of the jack screw unit 64. This is accomplished by manipulating the wrench 84 on the head 83 of the jack screw operating shaft 78-79, thereby rotating the jack screw operating shaft 78-79 and the sprocket gear 76 thereon, which acts, through the sprocket chain 78 and sprocket gear 71, to rotate and riase the jack screw 69 in its housing 65-69. This action of the jack screw 69 causes the reduced diameter head or bearing member 73 thereon to bear in the recess 74 of the lower strip tensioning roller 57 (FIGS. 5 and 6) andthus raise the lower tubular shaft 38 and the strip tensioning rollers 56 and annular metal spacing and braking rings 57 thereon, thus compensating for any tendency of the lower strip-tensioning roller unit 24 to sag at its mid-portion in use.

It will thus be noted that the new metal strip tensioning roller unit provides a desirable and advantageous metal strip-tensioning apparatus for use between a metal strip slitter unit and the rewinding coils for the metal strips or slit strands which has a number of advantages over prior art metal strip tensioning devices particularly in that it ('a) requires no operator or attendant; (b) requires no air, hydraulic or electric power for its operation; (0) maintains at all times the desired back tension on the metal strips of slit strands as they travel from the slitter apparatus to the rewinding coils, thereby producing tight, evenly wound coils; (d) elminates rewinds and the use of cardboard filler; (e) enables the tension of the upper tensioning roller on the metal strips to be readily adjusted; (f) provides for compensaion compensation any sagging of the midportion of the lower tensioning roller unit in use; and (g) is simpleand economical in, construction and easy and economical to install and maintain.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved strip-tensioning apparatus having the desirable advantages and characteristics and accomplishing its intended objects including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

I claim:

1. Strip-tensioning apparatus for tensioning strips or slit strands of metal as they pass between a metal slitter apparatus and a rewinding or recoiling apparatus, comprising:

a. an upper and generally horizontally extending tensioning roller unit including 1. a first elongated generally horizontally extending supporting member;

2. a plurality of annular tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in spaced relationship on the said first supporting member;

b. a lower and generally horizontally extending tensioning roller unit including 1. a second elongated generally horizontally extending support member;

2. a plurality of annular tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in spaced relationship on the said second supporting member;

c. supporting means for supporting the said first and second supporting members and the said tensioning rollers mounted thereon; I

d. adjusting means for vertically adjusting one of the said tensioning roller units and the said annular tensioning rollers therein relative to the other one of the said tensioning roller units and the tensioning rollers therein so asto vary the spacing between the tensioning roller units and the said tensioning rollers therein and the resultant tension or bite applied to metal strips or slit strands passed between the said upper and lower tensioning roller units and the tensioning rollers therein;

e. manually operable means for operating the said adjusting means;

f. a plurality of first annular spacing and braking members adjustably mounted on the said first supporting member for spacing the tensioning rollers in the said upper tensioning roller unit axially along the said first supporting member and for braking the rotational movement of the said tensioning rollers in the said upper tensioning roller unit;

g. a plurality of second annular spacing and braking members mounted on the said supporting member for spacing the said tensioning rollers in the said lower tensioning roller unit axially along the said second supporting member and for braking the rotational m'ovement of the tensioning rollers in the said lowertensioning roller unit; and

h. a plurality of manually operable retaining members each mounted on one of the said first annular spacing and braking members and cooperating with the said first supporting member for retaining each of the said first annular spacing and braking members in a preselected adjusted position on and axially along the said first supporting member and in engagement with the said tensioning rollers in the said' upper tensioning roller unit.

2. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which each of the said manually operable retaining members is in the form of a. a manually operable set screw carried by one of the said annular spacing and braking members and having a radially inner end portion engageable with the peripheral surface of the said first supporting members. I

3. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 1 which includes a. manually adjustable pressure-applying means carried by the said first supporting member for applying pressure laterally against the said first annular spacing and braking members.

4. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 1 which includes a. manually operable adjustable means disposed below the said lower tensioning roller unit for raising the said lower tensioning roller unit to overcome any sagging thereof in use.

5. Strip-tensioning apparatus for use with and be- 10 tween a sheet metal slitter and strip recoiling or rewinding apparatus comprising:

a. a supporting base;

b. a pair of spacedupright vertically extending supporting units mounted on the said supporting base;

0. slidable means slidably mounted in each of the said spaced upright vertically extending supporting units for vertical movement upon and relative to the said spaced upright supporting units;

(1. a relatively stationary lower striptensioning roller unit extending generally horizontally between the said spaced upright vertically extending supporting units and including 1. a relatively stationary lower supporting shaft member having outer end portions stationarily mounted in the said supporting units;

2. a plurality of annular strip-tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in horizontally spaced relationship on the said relatively stationary lower supporting shaft;

. an upper strip-tensioning roller unit extending generally horizontally between the said spaced upright vertically extending supporting units and including 1. a relatively vertically movable upper supporting shaft member extending between the said spaced upright supporting units and having a. outer end portions attached to the said slidable means for vertical movement with the said slidable means on and relative to the said spaced upright vertically extending supporting units; 2. a plurality of annular strip-tensioning metal rollers mounted in horizontally spaced relationship on the said relatively vertically movable supporting shaft and in generally co-planar vertical alignment with the said spaced annular strip tensioning rollers on the said relatively stationary lower supporting shaft; adjusting means mounted on the said upright supporting units and operatively connected to the said slidable means for raising and lowering the said slidable means on and relative to the said upright vertically extending supporting units standards so as to raise and lower the said relatively movable upper strip-tensioning roller unit relative to the said relatively stationary lower strip-tensioning unit so as to adjust or vary the space between the said upper and lower annular strip-tensioning rollers and the tension or bite on metal strips passed therebetween; and

g. manually operable means mounted on the said up 6. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which a I a. each of the said annular strip-tensioning rollers has lateral or side surfaces, and in which b. each of the said upper and lower strip-tensioning roller units includes which includes l. a plurality of annular metal spacing and braking members of rings each arranged on one of the said tubular supporting shafts with each of the said annular metal spacing and braking members or rings bearing against one of the said annular strip-tensioning rollers.

7. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which I a. at least certain of the said annular metal spacing and braking members or rings are disposed between and b. bear against the said lateral surfaces of adjacent ones of the said annular strip-tensioning rollers. 8. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim in which a. the said adjusting means includes 1. screw means mounted in each of the said spaced upright supporting units and operatively connected to the said slidable means; and in which the said adjusting means includes b. a gear housing on the upper end portion of each of the said upright vertically extending supporting units; and in which the said adjusting means includes 1. gear means arranged in each of the said gear housings and operatively connected to the said screw means and to the said manually operable means for the said adjusting means.

9. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which a. the said relatively movable upper supporting shaft member has 1. a radially outer or peripheral surface; and in which b. each of the said annular metal spacing and braking members or rings has I. manually operable screw means adjustably mounted therein and bearing against the said radially outer or peripheral surface of the said upper and relatively movable supporting shaft member for fixing the said annular metal spacing and braking rings in an adjusted position on the said upper and relatively movable supporting shaft member. v

10. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 8 a. handle means on and projecting from one of the said gear housings for operating the said gear means and the said screw means.

11. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 7 which includes a. power-transmitting means extending between the said spaced upright supporting units and operatively interconnecting the said gear means.

12. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 which includes a. manually operable horizontally extending tensionadjusting means adjustably mounted in at least one of the said slidable means and including 1. an axially inner end portion'bearing against an 5 axially outer end portion of the said upper and relatively movable strip-tensioning roller unit.

13. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 which includes a. manually operable horizontally extending tension 10 adjusting means mounted in each of said slidable means and including 1. axially inner end portion bearing against an axially outer end portion of the said upper and rela- 5 tively movable strip-tensioning roller unit. l

14. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 which includes a. power-transmission means operatively interconnecting the said adjusting means for raising and lowering the said slidable means simultaneously upon operation of the said manually operable means.

15. Strip-tensioning apparatus for use with and between sheet metal slitters and strip-recoiling or rewinding apparatus, comprising a. a supporting base I b. a pair of spaced upright vertically extending supporting units mounted on the said supporting base;

c. an upper horizontally extending strip-tensioning roller unit extending between the said spaced upright supporting units and having 1. end portions adjustably mounted in the said supporting units for vertical movement on and relative to the said supporting units;

d. a lower horizontally extending strip-tensioning roller unit extending between the said supporting standard below and in spaced relationship with and below the said upper horizontally extending striptensioning roller unit, and having 1. a mid-portion located generally between the ends thereof;

e. vertically extending adjustable supporting means mounted on the said supporting base generally midway between the said supporting unit for supporting the said mid-portion of the said lower strip tensioning roller unit; and

f. manually operable means for operating the said vertically extending adjustable supporting means so as to urge the same upwardly into engagement with the said mid-portion of the said lower striptensioning roller unit and thereby raise the said mid-portion of the said lower strip-tensioning roller unit to compensate for any sagging of the said lower strip-tensioning roller unit in the mid-portion thereof in use. I 

1. Strip-tensioning apparatus for tensioning strips or slit strands of metal as they pass between a metal slitter apparatus and a rewinding or recoiling apparatus, comprising: a. an upper and generally horizontally extending tensioning roller unit including
 1. a first elongated generally horizontally extending supporting member;
 2. a plurality of annular tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in spaced relationship on the said first supporting member; b. a lower and generally horizontally extending tensioning roller unit including
 1. a second elongated generally horizontally extending support member;
 2. a plurality of annular tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in spaced relationship on the said second supporting member; c. supporting means for supporting the said first and second supporting members and the said tensioning rollers mounted thereon; d. adjusting means for vertically adjusting one of the said tensioning roller units and the said annular tensioning rollers therein relative to the other one of the said tensioning roller units and the tensioning rollers therein so as to vary the spacing between the tensioning roller units and the said tensioning rollers therein and the resultant tension or bite applied to metal strips or slit strands passed between the said upper and lower tensioning roller units and the tensioning rollers therein; e. manually operable means for operating the said adjusting means; f. a plurality of first annular spacing and braking members adjustably mounted on the said first supporting member for spacing the tensioning rollers in the said upper tensioning roller unit axially along the said first supporting member and for braking the rotational movement of the said tensioning rollers in the said upper tensioning roller unit; g. a plurality of second annular spacing and braking members mounted on the said supporting member for spacing the said tensioning rollers in the said lower tensioning roller unit axially along the said second supporting member and for braking the rotational movement of the tensioning rollers in the said lower tensioning roller unit; and h. a plurality of manually operable retaining members each mounted on one of the said first annular spacing and braking members and cooperating with the said first supporting member for retaining each of the said first annular spacing and braking members in a preselected adjusted position on and axially along the said first supporting member aNd in engagement with the said tensioning rollers in the said upper tensioning roller unit.
 2. a plurality of annular tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in spaced relationship on the said second supporting member; c. supporting means for supporting the said first and second supporting members and the said tensioning rollers mounted thereon; d. adjusting means for vertically adjusting one of the said tensioning roller units and the said annular tensioning rollers therein relative to the other one of the said tensioning roller units and the tensioning rollers therein so as to vary the spacing between the tensioning roller units and the said tensioning rollers therein and the resultant tension or bite applied to metal strips or slit strands passed between the said upper and lower tensioning roller units and the tensioning rollers therein; e. manually operable means for operating the said adjusting means; f. a plurality of first annular spacing and braking members adjustably mounted on the said first supporting member for spacing the tensioning rollers in the said upper tensioning roller unit axially along the said first supporting member and for braking the rotational movement of the said tensioning rollers in the said upper tensioning roller unit; g. a plurality of second annular spacing and braking members mounted on the said supporting member for spacing the said tensioning rollers in the said lower tensioning roller unit axially along the said second supporting member and for braking the rotational movement of the tensioning rollers in the said lower tensioning roller unit; and h. a plurality of manually operable retaining members each mounted on one of the said first annular spacing and braking members and cooperating with the said first supporting member for retaining each of the said first annular spacing and braking members in a preselected adjusted position on and axially along the said first supporting member aNd in engagement with the said tensioning rollers in the said upper tensioning roller unit.
 2. a plurality of annular tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in spaced relationship on the said first supporting member; b. a lower and generally horizontally extending tensioning roller unit including
 2. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which each of the said manually operable retaining members is in the form of a. a manually operable set screw carried by one of the said annular spacing and braking members and having a radially inner end portion engageable with the peripheral surface of the said first supporting members.
 2. a plurality of annular strip-tensioning rollers rotatably mounted in horizontally spaced relationship on the said relatively stationary lower supporting shaft; e. an upper strip-tensioning roller unit extending generally horizontally between the said spaced upright vertically extending supporting units and including
 2. a plurality of annular strip-tensioning metal rollers mounted in horizontally spaced relationship on the said relatively vertically movable supporting shaft and in generally co-planar vertical alignment with the said spaced annular strip tensioning rollers on the said relatively stationary lower supporting shaft; f. adjusting means mounted on the said upright supporting units and operatively connected to the said slidable means for raising and lowering the said slidable means on and relative to the said upright vertically extending supporting units standards so as to raise and lower the said relatively movable upper strip-tensioning roller unit relative to the said relatively stationary lower strip-tensioning unit so as to adjust or vary the space between the said upper and lower annular strip-tensioning rollers and the tension or bite on metal strips passed therebetween; and g. manually operable means mounted on the said upright supporting units for operating the said adjusting means.
 3. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 1 which includes a. manually adjustable pressure-applying means carried by the said first supporting member for applying pressure laterally against the said first annular spacing and braking members.
 4. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 1 which includes a. manually operable adjustable means disposed below the said lower tensioning roller unit for raising the said lower tensioning roller unit to overcome any sagging thereof in use.
 5. Strip-tensioning apparatus for use with and between a sheet metal slitter and strip recoiling or rewinding apparatus comprising: a. a supporting base; b. a pair of spaced upright vertically extending supporting units mounted on the said supporting base; c. slidable means slidably mounted in each of the said spaced upright vertically extending supporting units for vertical movement upon and relative to the said spaced upright supporting units; d. a relatively stationary lower strip-tensioning roller unit extending generally horizontally between the said spaced upright vertically extending supporting units and including
 6. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which a. each of the said annular strip-tensioning rollers has lateral or side surfaces, and in which b. each of the said upper and lower strip-tensioning roller units includes
 7. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 6 in wHich a. at least certain of the said annular metal spacing and braking members or rings are disposed between and b. bear against the said lateral surfaces of adjacent ones of the said annular strip-tensioning rollers.
 8. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which a. the said adjusting means includes
 9. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which a. the said relatively movable upper supporting shaft member has
 10. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 8 which includes a. handle means on and projecting from one of the said gear housings for operating the said gear means and the said screw means.
 11. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 7 which includes a. power-transmitting means extending between the said spaced upright supporting units and operatively interconnecting the said gear means.
 12. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 which includes a. manually operable horizontally extending tension-adjusting means adjustably mounted in at least one of the said slidable means and including
 13. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 which includes a. manually operable horizontally extending tension adjusting means mounted in each of said slidable means and including
 14. Strip-tensioning apparatus as defined in claim 5 which includes a. power-transmission means operatively interconnecting the said adjusting means for raising and lowering the said slidable means simultaneously upon operation of the said manually operable means.
 15. Strip-tensioning apparatus for use with and between sheet metal slitters and strip-recoiling or rewinding apparatus, comprising a. a supporting base b. a pair of spaced upright vertically extending supporting units mounted on the said supporting base; c. an upper horizontally extending strip-tensioning roller unit extending between the said spaced upright supporting units and having 